Contract/Grant Specialist - Augusta

State of Maine•Augusta, ME

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is professional services work in negotiating, processing, administering, and monitoring contracts, grants, and other purchase of service agreements and solicitations processes. Work is performed under general supervision. The Office of State Procurement Services is a state agency support unit with a team atmosphere that experiences peak, high-paced periods throughout the year. You may also be responsible for assisting the team with other procurement-related tasks as needed within the Office of State Procurement Services.

Requirements

Knowledge of budget methods, techniques, and practices.
Knowledge of contract administration practices and procedures.
Knowledge of grants and accessibility of federal and state funds.
Knowledge of the legislative process.
Knowledge of data processing and information services.
Knowledge of negotiation methods and techniques.
Knowledge of department or agency programs and services.
Knowledge of performance based contracting.
Ability to develop, design, and implement departmental plans, budgets, goals, objectives, and controls.
Ability to develop and analyze complex financial information.
Ability to manage diverse administrative functions.
Ability to assess problems, reach logical conclusions, and develop appropriate solutions.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to write clearly and effectively.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
A six (6) year combination of education and/or professional experience in contract or grant administration.

Nice To Haves

Strong written and verbal communication skills
Sound mathematical abilities
Detail-oriented
Strong organizational skills
Demonstrate critical thinking skills

Responsibilities

Confers with outside providers, department employees, community resources, and other concerned officials in order to explain and clarify contract, grant, and solicitation processes.
Reviews and analyzes contracts, grants, and solicitations and discusses feasibility, cost, and impact in order to provide input and make recommendations.
Conducts on-site visits with public and private agency administrators and providers; discusses ideas, plans, priority target populations, proposals, budgets, and performance based contracting in order to gather performance data and/or exchange information.
Receives, collects, and analyzes performance data; establishes and monitors contractual or related benchmarking, and prepares reports in order to monitor and evaluate provider performance and provide information.
Reviews and analyzes program policies, procedures, and practices; and develops and proposes program changes in order to improve program effectiveness and efficiency.
Contacts and confers with community resources and public/private agencies in order to encourage, develop, and negotiate mutual understanding, cooperation, and participation in the delivery of services.
Reviews and collects program reports and related material; develops and prepares training materials; and delivers presentations in order to provide training to external resources and agency employees.
This position will interact with our procurement team, client agency staff and external vendors on a regular basis.
Assisting the team with other procurement-related tasks as needed within the Office of State Procurement Services.

Benefits

13 paid holidays
12 days of sick leave
3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
Health Insurance Coverage (State pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums)
Health Insurance Premium Credit (Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%)
Dental Insurance (State pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums)
Retirement Plan (State contributes 14.06% of pay to MainePERS)
Gym Membership Reimbursement (up to $40 per month)
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility
Living Resources Program (employee assistance program)
Forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave for all employees welcoming a child
Voluntary Deferred Compensation (MaineSaves 457(b) account)
Extensive and highly competitive benefits package covering many aspects of wellness